Melbourne traffic: Blocked bike lanes risking cyclists’ lives

FRUSTRATED cyclists say their lives are at risk because of thoughtless drivers who park in bike lanes throughout Melbourne CBD.

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CARS and trucks constantly parked in bike lanes in central Melbourne are frustrating cyclists who say their lives are at risk because of thoughtless drivers.

Riders say they regularly have to dodge illegally parked vehicles, swerving out and disrupting traffic.

Cyclists say the bike lanes are clearly marked but many drivers simply choose to ignore the signs.

Busy Exhibition and Latrobe Streets have been identified as being the black spots for vehicles blocking bike lanes. Exhibition St has a dedicated clearway for peak hour riders.

A van parked in a bike lane on Exhibition St, Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

In one case, a Toyota was parked on Latrobe St in a Copenhagen bike lane which separates bikes and cars completely.

“It’s as bad as you can get,’’ one rider said.

Rider numbers in central Melbourne have increased by 13 per cent in the past three years, according to city council data.

About 11,500 cyclists ride into the city every day during the morning peak — about one vehicle in six. On Royal Parade, every fourth vehicle is a bicycle.

Park in the empty loading zone? Nah mate. I'll just take up an entire bike lane and half the traffic lane.@cityofmelbourne @bicycle_network pic.twitter.com/OMoYWYzSel

— Phillip Tyson (@PhillipTyson) April 27, 2017

Bicycle Network chief executive Craig Richards said blocked bike lanes were a constant issue for riders, especially during commute times.

“ It happens all over the city on main thoroughfares from the north, south, east and west,” Mr Richards said.

“Not only is it a huge crash risk, but it also disrupts the flow of traffic and causes mass confusion.

“Bike lanes are clearly signed and marked. Many motorists seem to just have their head in the sand and park right over the top of markings showing bikes only.’’

Mr Richards said improved markings and signs were due on William St near the court precinct and on Exhibition St.

He urged riders to dob in illegally parked drivers to the council.

City of Melbourne spokeswoman Kathy Alys said all clearways, including bike lanes, were patrolled each morning and evening.

“We are confident these patrols are effective,” Ms Alys said.

“The City of Melbourne is committed to the safety of cyclists, and we now have more than 140km of bike lanes throughout the city.’’

@VicRoads @VicTraffic @cityofmelbourne this happens every day: motorists driving down bike lane in Queensberry St. Cc @bicycle_network pic.twitter.com/xadz5KUWj9

— Jerome N Rachele (@JN_Rachele) March 31, 2017

Cyclist teleporter or infrastructure #fail you decide @cityofmelbourne @bikemelbourne @AusCycle pic.twitter.com/mvSQb5QDz1

— Matthew (@mdp01) November 9, 2016

@cityofmelbourne it would be nice if you enforced Exhibition St cycle clear ways please. Can you book this clown? pic.twitter.com/uCIdfgQctA

— Paul Edwards (@saponaceous1) April 3, 2017

@auspost that doesn't look like a loading zone to me. Howard St, North Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/2RFkK1zME1

— Jerome N Rachele (@JN_Rachele) April 11, 2017

This bike lane outside the Princess theatre is a great place to park my taxi while I wait for a fare @cityofmelbourne pic.twitter.com/gG2k73Qzba

— Michael McCarthy (@mccartm1) April 1, 2017

@VicRoads @VicTraffic @cityofmelbourne this happens every day: motorists driving down bike lane in Queensberry St. Cc @bicycle_network pic.twitter.com/xadz5KUWj9

— Jerome N Rachele (@JN_Rachele) March 31, 2017

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@IanRoyall